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What Are You Passing On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20

24 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Crucified With Christ, Follow Jesus, Gospel, Heaven or Hell, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Sanctified To Serve!, Testify, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, Transformation, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 20 What Are You Passing On???

 

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served                                that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

Joshua knew that his life was nearing the end, so he called the people together to call them to remember the goodness of God, and to serve Him from a heart of love, gratitude and devotion. He reminded them of all that God had done, challenging them to choose wisely, and declaring his choice before all, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”! Joshua made the choice consistent with his life—he had followed God with Moses, and then God called him to step into Moses place as the leader of Israel. Now at the end of his life, he is still calling people to follow God. And that always requires a personal choice and commitment.

Jesus called people to choose Him recognizing the cost is more than many people expect.

“Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected

of the elders

and chief priests

and scribes,

and be slain,

and be raised the third day.

23 And he said to them all,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

but whosoever will lose his life

for my sake,

the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged,

if he gain the whole world,

and lose himself,

or be cast away?” Luke 9:22-25

To follow Jesus we must recognize our own inability to deal with our sin, and come to HIM in repentance and faith. We must “deny” (abandon our self-reliance) self, “take up” our “cross daily” (identify with the sacrifice of Jesus), and “follow” Jesus. Paul gives us a clear picture of following:

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith

of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”    Galatians 2:20

We are to live unto Jesus, yielding ourselves to the work of the precious Holy Spirit of Jesus, which He imparts to all who come to Him. When we will walk with Him, in the power of His Spirit, God will work in and through us to make a difference in this world.

“So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God

revealed

from faith

to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”    Romans 1:15-17

Jesus is the Gospel! And knowing Jesus through the power of His blood, we are saved and transformed into His servants, being enabled as His witness to a lost and dying world. We can pass on the ‘good news’ and lead others to Jesus, or we can live our own way and lead others to the same “hell” that all will face without Jesus. Even as Jesus shared with Nicodemus:

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom

of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth

where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born

of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8

When we are ‘born again’, we are able to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, living a life devoted to God according to the faith, gifts and abilities that He gives to His own.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”    Romans 12:1-3

Those who come to Jesus receive all we need to serve Him faithfully and lead others to the cross—to pass on life, not death; all by Him and His Holy Spirit at work within us.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you

through the knowledge of God,

and of Jesus

our Lord,

3 According as his divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life

and godliness,

through the knowledge of him

that hath called us

to glory

and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great

and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world

through lust.” 2 Peter 1:1-4 

HE gives us “all things” that we need to serve Him—Jesus and His indwelling Holy Spirit. We are born of The Spirit who then dwells within us and is the manifestation of the genuineness of our salvation.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

Born of God so that we can live by HIS power!!!

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”   Romans 8:9

Only The Spirit of Jesus within makes us usable in God’s kingdom! We can choose to walk in The Spirit or the flesh—but there are consequences to each choice. We can pass on the truth and freedom of the Gospel or we can cause others to miss heaven by missing Jesus! What am I passing on? What about you?

“For, brethren,

ye have been called unto liberty;

only use not liberty

for an occasion to the flesh,

but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word,

even in this;

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another,

take heed

that ye be not consumed

one of another.

16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh………

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk

in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:13-16 & 24-25

Are you alive in God’s Spirit? Have you been born again? Do you have peace with God? As Paul said so clearly, we can only “pass on” what we have received—the Gospel of Jesus!

“For I delivered unto you

first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

What are you ‘passing on’?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!

How Shall They Hear??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #469

15 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Confidence, Follow Me, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Let You Light So Shine, Salvation, Testify, The Only Way, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #469 How Shall They Hear???

 

As I sit here this Friday morning, I’ve been thinking about sharing the Good News—it what we all called to be and do.

“For whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him

in whom they have not believed?

and how shall they believe

in him of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach,

except they be sent?

as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet

of them that preach

the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings

of good things!” Romans 10:13-15 

Many of us say, “Well, I’m not a preacher!” Well…….we may not be a ‘preacher’, but we are called to preach/tell what Jesus has done for us in word and deed. Spreading the “gospel of peace” is what we do—we are a witness whether we act like it or not—a ‘good’ witness or a ‘poor’ witness– we are ‘preaching’ by our lives! Jesus, the one who gives us ‘peace with God’ calls us to be a reflection of His truth and grace to a lost and dying world! As the old adage says, “You may be the only ‘Bible’ that some people read!” What are others reading in your life and mine?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

Jesus gives us ‘peace with God’ because He paid the price of our sin, the sin that costs eternity in hell, so we have a story to share/preach. Jesus makes us right with God—He reconciles, redeems and restores us to ‘son-ship’ with God—and that is good news that we can ‘preach’ everywhere we go!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

“Born…of God” by the work of His Holy Spirit, and made new—the good news that makes our lives a testimony to reflect JESUS to the world! Not with arrogance or a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, but with a humble love and devotion to Jesus. His life and love shining through us to a lost and dying world, so that they “hear/see” Him IN us!

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:

and be ready always to give an answer

to every man that asketh you

a reason of the hope

that is in you

with meekness and fear:”   1 Peter 3:15

The Gospel According To___? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 17

04 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Amazing Grace, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Cross, Follow Me, Gospel, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Knowing God's Word, Repentance, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, The Word Or The World?, What Voice are You Listening to?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No. 17 The Gospel According To___?

 

We live in a culture that wants to make the “Gospel” something that “appeals” to the masses, and makes everyone “feel” good. There is no mention of sin, no call to the God’s holiness, nor any call for repentance in this worldly gospel—rather has a message that says God will take everyone to heaven, no matter how they live or what they believe about Him, His Son, His holiness or His Word! God says different!

I used to quote an old adage that said, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it!” but I’ve changed it to more aptly fit the truth of God’s Word, “God said it, and that settles it—whether I believe it or not!” Whether we ‘believe it or not’, God says there is only “one way” to salvation, and that way is HIS way—His name is Jesus!

As we’ve learned from Daniel’s example, knowing God and His Word makes a difference in our lives that the world can see—in word and deed! What does the world see in me/in you?

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”   Daniel 6:16

Who am I serving? Is my service to God reflecting a true picture of my Lord and His Gospel—the Gospel of God’s Word—much different from the one promoted by the world.

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become

the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”    Acts 4:10-12

Jesus is the only way of salvation—our salvation is why HE came—to save us from our sin, and only when we are willing to recognize our own sin, repent and believe in His substitutionary (He took my place), atoning (He paid my debt), sacrifice (the paying of a debt He didn’t owe, because I had a debt I couldn’t pay, apart from His death for me) believing and receiving the new birth in His saving work at Calvary, in other words, being born again! There is no other way to God.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”   John 1:12-13

Being “born…. of God”, having real life, eternal life in HIM!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom

of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.” John 3:3-7

“Ye must be born again”! Apart from being born again, no one can even “see the kingdom of God”; in fact Jesus goes on to say that unless we are born “of the Spirit” we cannot “enter into the kingdom of God”. And that my friend is important—because not every one who claims to know Jesus knows Him. Not everyone who attends church, or does good deeds, or is right in their own eyes, will “enter into the kingdom of God”, but those who are “born again”—they are the only ones who will “see God”! And the verses we looked at in John 1 remind us that it is the Spirit of God—The Holy Spirit—that works the new birth in those who respond to God’s call to repentance and faith.

I know I have belabored this point, but it has been on my heart of late, and after attending a service recently, I was grief stricken to hear the things that I heard, and I must call us all to consider the “Gospel” according to The Word of God—not according to men!

As I was in attendance at this service there was a bit of scripture read, and even a reference or two to Jesus, but never once was there any reference to salvation being in Jesus. There was lots of talk about the works of men, and the goodness of men, but no mention of salvation by grace. In fact there was no music about God, Jesus, grace or salvation, just worldly music that broke my heart—not because it was bad, but because it was so “not” the gospel. In fact, afterwards I thought how sad, that we just went through a service that presented the “Gospel According to Nashville” not the Gospel of Jesus. Why would anyone want to go to heaven and spend eternity with God, when they have no use for Him in this life? Jesus said that we must repent—stop going our way, and turn to HIM? What happened to that Gospel?

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all

likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

We must repent of our way, and go God’s way. And Jesus knows the difference, and will reveal it! In HIS time!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that

doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell not:

for it was founded

upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth

these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”   Matthew 7:21-28 (Because it was NOT founded/built upon a rock!)

The question is, “Are you building on the ‘rock’ or the ‘sand’?” Have you believed in the true Gospel of Jesus, or the lies of the world, the watered-down Gospel of ‘Nashville’, or ‘Hollywood’, or ‘Detroit’ or ‘New York’? If it is any Gospel other than the biblical one, you need to reconsider what you are trusting in. And if your life isn’t reflecting the truth and Spirit of Jesus in what you ‘do’ (not just what you ‘say’!) you might want to examine what you are counting on to save you!

“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”   2 Corinthians 13:5

It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us that is the evidence that we belong to Jesus, that we have truly believed the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus and been born again. Paul gives us the “Gospel in a nutshell”!

“Moreover, brethren,

I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you,

which also ye have received,

and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved,

if ye keep in memory

what I preached unto you,

unless ye have believed

in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Jesus paid it all—the only price that God will accept for sin:

“Christ died for our sins…

that he was buried…

that he rose again the third day…

that he was seen…”

All of this “according to the scriptures”—just as God had promised from Eden to the Cross!

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”   Genesis 3:15

The “seed” would be the victor—the eternal victor over sin, death and hell. And Jesus is that seed, and died for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith! Only Jesus!

“For this corruptible

must put on incorruption,

and this mortal

must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible

shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal

shall have put on immortality,

then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work

of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:53-58

Jesus is our victory, regardless of what the world says. God isn’t impressed by men’s works and deeds, but by the blood of the Lamb that cleanses from sin. And only Jesus’ blood will do! Anything else will fail at the end!

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found

written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”    Revelation 20:14-15

There is a time of accounting coming, and just as Jesus spoke in Matthew 7, saying so won’t make it so! Only being born again by the Spirit of God will make you a child of God! And that is only found at the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and soon coming KING!!!

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign

on the earth.”    Revelation 5:9-10

Regardless of what our culture says about Jesus, only salvation by repentance from sin, and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice will save. And when we are born again, we can follow Him by the power of The Holy Spirit, The Spirit others ought to see at work in us! All because His Spirit dwells in His own, and writes our names in “the Lamb’s book of life”! The Spirit of God working in us—saving us—changing us—all to point others to the cross!

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.” Romans 8:8-9

Jesus’ righteousness imparted to us, to be displayed before a lost and dying world in need of a Savior! What about you? What Spirit is working in YOU? In me? Are we ready to see Him? Do others see Jesus in us!

“And there shall in no wise enter into it

any thing that defileth,

neither whatsoever worketh abomination,

or maketh a lie:

but they which are written

in the Lamb’s book of life.”    Revelation 21:27

I pray that you are relying on Jesus and not the message being preached by popular culture, music, movies, and TV! Only Jesus saves, and when He does, He makes new creatures out of sinners, and writes our name in “the Lamb’s book of life”. Where is your name written? Are you a “new creature”? Not perfect yet, but redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ alone! The Gospel according to Jesus—not Nashville!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17

Have you called on Jesus to make you a new creature? Are you relying on something other than Jesus? Please consider what you are trusting in!!! It’s your choice, but choose wisely there is a test at the end?

No matter how many times we read or quote the 23rd Psalm (which is the most popular passage of scripture mentioned at Funeral services), no on can truly say “The Lord is ‘my’ shepherd” (emphasis mine) unless we are born again by the blood of the Lamb—just as we read above—the Gospel is Jesus work of salvation, not man’s empty efforts to look good to a world with skewed vision. And if Jesus is not your “shepherd”, then you will come up wanting. Please look to Jesus while there is still time!

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5 Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace,

we should be made heirs

according to the hope of eternal life.”   Titus 3:4-7

Don’t put it off too long, or you may hear the same message that Daniel had to deliver to Belshazzar:

“…Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27b

I pray that you will hear the voice of Jesus today and judge with ‘righteous judgment’ and respond in repentance and faith. And if you are already HIS, renew your devotion to His person and His Word—to follow with courage and wisdom!

“As we said before, so say I now again,

If any man preach any other gospel

unto you

than that ye have received,

let him be accursed.”    Galatians 1:9

Amen and Amen.

 

 

 

In The Beginning, Really??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.01

28 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Confidence, Every Knee Shall Bow, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Me, Holy Spirit, In The Beginning, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Knowing God's Word, Salvation, The Only Way, The Word, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 11 No.01 In The Beginning, Really???

 

Jesus is the beginning and the end, and what we believe about the beginning will affect what will happen to us in “the end”! John the beloved Apostle saw the Lord Jesus while on the Isle of Patmos, and heard His own proclamation of who HE was, is and ever shall be!

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying,

I am Alpha and Omega,

the first and the last:

and, What thou seest,

write in a book,

and send it unto the seven churches

which are in Asia….”    Revelation 1:10-11a

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me,

Fear not;

I am the first

and the last:

18 I am he that liveth,

and was dead;

and, behold, I am alive for evermore,

Amen;

and have the keys of hell and of death.”   Revelation 1:17-18

Jesus is the first and the last, and while many refuse to accept or believe this truth, it is the essential, the cornerstone, of our faith, and we need to remind ourselves of its veracity and import often, and that is what I want us to think about today. Let’s spend some time rehearsing what we know (and introduce truth to those who may have never heard!) about Jesus so that we can stand fast in assurance of the truth of His Word!

Many believe that God was in the beginning, but Jesus was an ‘after-thought’ and only came when plan ‘A’, the law, failed, but that is not true. Jesus was the Redeemer before the foundation of the world, and when Genesis 1 says “in the beginning God…” it doesn’t mean God’s beginning but ours!

“In the beginning God

created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form,

and void;

and darkness was upon the face

of the deep.

And the Spirit of God moved

upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, Let there be…….” Genesis 1:1-3a

“In the beginning God” created us—it’s of Him and through Him and to Him—all because He wanted a relationship with you and me.

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory

for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

This verse is in a context of Paul rehearsing the faithfulness and goodness of God’s salvation through Jesus—it all started with God, and He will bring it to pass.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

God was not only “in the beginning” of creation, He is the “beginning” of our new birth, our spiritual life. It is God that brings us to “be born again”!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13

All because HE first loved us—you and me, and sent His Son to die for us, to be payment for our sin.

“We love him, because he first loved us.”     1 John 4:19

“The beginning” is always of God, and He made provision for us before we ever failed Him.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest

in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up

from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith

and hope

might be in God.”    1 Peter 1:18-21

God knew we would fail when He created us, and He had already made provision for our redemption back to HIM—we who were enemies with Him because of our sin, would have a way back to Him!! Oh, what a wondrous blessing—one that we can ever rejoice in! Amen and Amen! All because “HE first loved us”! Jesus paid for our sin with His own blood—He sets us free!

“My little children,

these things write I unto you,

that ye sin not.

And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation

for our sins:

and not for ours only,

but also for the sins

of the whole world.”    1 John 2:1-2

And simply put, ‘propitiation’ means the payment in full for a debt due—in our case the sin debt that demanded a penalty of death. He came to be our payment—the righteous, sinless Son of God, came to pay for our sin, so that we could have God’s righteousness applied to our account.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”    Romans 5:1

“For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness

of God

in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

The God who created us, made provision for our salvation, who loved “us first”—is the God of all creation, and Jesus His Son is creator too!!! He also is “the beginning”, and unless we believe and know Him, we will surely fall.

“And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings

and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power,

and riches,

and wisdom,

and strength,

and honour,

and glory,

and blessing.” Revelation 5:9-12

This Jesus—the Lamb of God—will receive glory, for HE is Lord and creator! HE is God!!

“I and my Father are one.”   John 10:30

Jesus claimed for Himself oneness with God, and God verified that claim when He raised Him from the dead—and He remains God forever. And He is coming again soon.

“In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created,

that are in heaven,

and that are in earth,

visible and invisible,

whether they be thrones,

or dominions,

or principalities,

or powers:

              all things were created by him,

and for him:

17 And he is before all things,

and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17

So we can stand fast on the assurance that our God IS the creator of all things—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He began the ‘good work in you’ and He “will complete it”; yet we are called to stand fast in Him and His truth. We can know that He was, and is and evermore shall be, and we are to serve Him faithfully until He comes for us!

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”    Philippians 2:8-11

I pray that these things will help you spend some time this week rehearsing the truth, faithfulness and goodness of our God—Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

“Hath in these last days spoken unto us

by his Son,

whom he hath appointed heir

of all things,

by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory,

and the express image of his person,

and upholding all things

by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged

our sins,

sat down on the right hand

of the Majesty on high;

4 Being made so much better

than the angels,

as he hath by inheritance

obtained a more excellent

name than they.”    Hebrews 1:2-4

May we rejoice in HIM who IS the ‘beginning’! Amen and Amen! And may I just close with this reminder; if the fist 11 chapters of Genesis are not true, then there is no need for the rest of The Word. For if there was not “Adam and Eve”, then there was no perfect creation, no man and woman with a relationship with God, and no sin! If there was no sin, then we have no need of a Redeemer!!! Genesis is the foundation of all that we believe—and Jesus is that ‘founder’!

“According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.”    1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Only One Way—Jesus!

Only One Foundation—Jesus!

Only One Message—Jesus!

Is HE your beginning? I pray that He is!!!

Heir Apparent Or Bondservant??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #426

10 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Choose You This Day!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Me, Gratitude, Humility, Made like Jesus!, The Only Way, The Word, What's In Your Heart?

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #426 Heir Apparent Or Bondservant???

 

When we come to Jesus and are born again “of God”, we become the children of God by the power of The Holy Spirit; but many today seem to be presuming upon God, being more concerned with living like an “Heir Apparent” to the throne, rather than as one who has been saved by the mercy and grace of God. While God has, does and will continue to call people to Himself by the good news of Jesus Christ and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin, it will never give us the right to usurp the power, position or place of God. We must come to Him in faith, recognizing that we are sinners doomed to hell, and Jesus has willingly, lovingly, paid our sin debt that we might have eternal life.

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe

on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.” John 1:12-13 

God gives us “new” birth because we “were dead in trespasses and sins” (See Eph. 2:1-10), and that act of love and sacrifice should always cause us to be humbly grateful for God’s grace and love! It should never lead us to presume upon God, nor exalt ourselves, but to faithfully serve HIM in love and humility—never arrogance.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”   James 4:10

We become children of God—those who love and serve the One who gave Himself for us. Where did we get this mindset of arrogance that presumes on the goodness and mercy of God? Yes, we are His children, but we are to be loving, obedient children not spoiled brats—but then we see to be living in a culture of spoiled brats (pardon my bluntness). Everyone has an attitude set on demanding “MY rights” whether it’s right or not. God never expects us to pout, doubt and dropout, for He calls us to a life of grateful service and devotion to the One who gave Himself for us! In the same passage where Paul mentions our ‘right’ to call God our Father, He also talks about how we are to “suffer with him”—oops, you don’t hear much preaching and teaching about that anymore. Do you?

“For ye have not received the spirit

of bondage

again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed in us.”    Romans 8:15-18

God’s glory is to “be revealed in us” not by our arrogant boasting or grabbing the glory for ourselves, but by our faithful service to our God. A faithfulness that often shines brightest in the face of unjust suffering! Surely we must be misreading this? No, we’re not! Jesus told us that when we choose to follow Him, we would generally receive the same treatment that He did! And ‘they’ loved Him ‘to death’—the death on the cross—all for you and me! What will you do with that attitude? I pray that we will take a moment today and ask God to help us join the Psalmist in praying for His spotlight of love to shine on our hearts, and reveal to us what is really there! For Jesus said that what is in the heart will come out of the mouth (and that means not only what we say but how we live—humbly or presumptuously). Here are a couple of passages for us to ponder today! May God work in you, and me that we might bring HIM glory today!

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me in the way

everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

“Not that which goeth into the mouth

defileth a man;

but that which cometh out of the mouth,

this defileth a man…..

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:11,19-20

Remember, what’s inside will come out!!! What do you get if you squeeze a lemon? Whatever is inside, that’s what will come out!!! Amen and Amen!